title: Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in performing eye-hand integration tasks: four preliminary studies with children showing low-functioning autism.
abstract: This report, based on four studies with children with low-functioning autism, aimed at evaluating the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation delivered on the left and right premotor cortices on eye-hand integration tasks; defining the long-lasting effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; and investigating the real efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation by comparing three kinds of treatments (high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, a traditional eye-hand integration training, and both treatments combined). Results showed a significant increase in eye-hand performances only when high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was delivered on the left premotor cortex; a persistent improvement up to 1 h after the end of the stimulation; better outcomes in the treatment combining high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and eye-hand integration training. Based on these preliminary findings, further evaluations on the usefulness of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in rehabilitation of children with autism are strongly recommended.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy spanerai@oasi.en.it.
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panerai
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy.
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tasca
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy.
authors.forename: Bartolo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lanuzza
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy.
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trubia
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Musso
authors.affiliation: Azienda Ospedaliera per l'Emergenza Cannizzaro, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alagona
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Guardo
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy.
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy.
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gaglione
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS., Tronia (EN), Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: autism spectrum disorders; premotor cortex; rehabilitation; transcranial magnetic stimulation